Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Laura Ingraham argued on Fox and Friends that the Obama administration's dropping prior objections and complying with a court order to allow over-the-counter emergency contraception without age restrictions is "a good deal for pedophiles" and statutory rapists, and a symptom of "this brave new world of women’s equality and—quote—reproductive health." Watch:

INGRAHAM: It’s a good deal for pedophiles, a good deal for people who commit statutory rape against young girls. If mothers and fathers across this country hear this and they think, ‘Well, I guess my daughter or her boyfriend or her rapist can go out to a pharmacy and get a bunch of, you know, hormone pills to give a little girl.’ We don’t really know the long-term effect of a spiking or dropping a little girl’s — in many cases a young woman’s or a little girl’s hormonal levels. It’s outrageous! These girls can’t get their ears pierced, they can’t take an Advil at school without parental permission. Yet, they can go into a pharmacy in this brave new world of women’s equality and — quote — reproductive health and get a morning after pill. I think it empowers men who want to abuse women.

3 comments:

That is as ridiculous an argument as I have ever heard - equating ear piercing, for which permission is required before the fact, to sexual activity, for which permission in advance is never asked - at least in the real world. Points can be made on in support of either side of this issue, but the examples used by Ms. Ingraham do not advance her position.

It can be argued that minors should notify their guardians before taking any medications. In the particular case of the possibility of unwanted pregnacy and the fear of punishment from their parents, the greater good is served by allowing this exception. And it is my opinion that this is the proper position.